WILKES-BARRE — City police are trying to track down a puppy with vision problems that was stolen on Coal Street on Monday morning.

Police said the owner of the dog — a pit bull named Ace — reported the animal was taken around 11 a.m. near 154 Coal St.

A black Chevrolet Impala pulled up to the dog and a passenger snatched the animal before the car fled, the owner told police.

The owner told police Ace has vision problems and will stand out to people who may see him. The vision problems cause the dog to be physically impaired, he said.

City police posted the incident on its Facebook page with the headline, “Puppy Thief Alert!”

Police asked anyone with information on Ace’s whereabouts to call Officer Dan Duffy at 570-208-4118.

“Anonymous callers are welcome,” police wrote. “Let’s help get ‘Ace’ home.”

Contact the writer:

bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com

570-821-2055; @cvbobkal

PITTSTON — Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire that injured a child overnight Monday.

The fire at 18 Wood St. was reported around midnight, with a child reported to be trapped inside.

Crews removed the child, who was transported to an area hospital. The extent of the child’s injuries was not immediately known.

Crews from Pittston, Pittston Twp. and Avoca responded to the scene to put out the stubborn fire.

The cause of the fire was not known.

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) — Authorities say portions of two sawn-off human legs found on a central Pennsylvania riverbank earlier this year are believed to have belonged to a woman, but she still hasn't been identified.

State police in Lycoming County said Tuesday that an "extensive examination" by a forensic anthropologist indicates the legs are those of an adult white female about 5 feet to 5-feet-6-inches tall. Police said her toenails were painted pink and released photos of white Polo Jeans ankle socks found on both feet.

A fisherman found the legs May 11 along the Susquehanna River near the Hepburn Street Dam in Williamsport.

The county coroner said they appeared to have been cut near the knee joint by a hand-held saw, and death occurred up to six months before the discovery.

A Scranton man is scheduled for a hearing this month on charges he raped a woman in Dunmore in May.

Joseph A. Duncan, 32, previously of Prospect Avenue, is next scheduled to appear before a judge for a preliminary hearing July 22.

Dunmore Detective Michael Lydon charged Duncan on June 17 with rape, sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault and simple assault.

The Times-Tribune does not identify victims of sexual assault.

Detectives opened their investigation early in the morning of May 25, a few hours after the assault happened in the victim’s Dunmore apartment.

Duncan came over as the victim got ready to go out. Over her protests, he pinned her down and raped her.

After, frightened of Duncan, she coordinated with a friend to get her a taxi to get away. She told Duncan she was going to step out to pick up some cigarettes.

She went to a friend’s house in Scranton and said she had been raped. They called the police and the victim went to an area hospital. Investigators spoke with her there.

Meanwhile, Duncan was still at her apartment. She wanted him gone. Duncan did not respond to a group of officers who warned him to leave. They arrested him for defiant trespass.

A judge released him later that morning on $10,000 unsecured bail. Officers continued their investigation.

On June 1, while he was out on bail, the Scranton police Street Crimes Unit arrested Duncan and Brandon Adams, 33, when they pulled their Nissan Pathfinder over and found $6,000 worth of methamphetamine in a backpack.

They were both jailed at the Lackawanna County Prison on $100,000 for drug charges. They remained there today. Preliminary hearings in that drug case remain set for July 25.

Contact the writer: jkohut@timesshamrock.com, 570-348-9144; @jkohutTT on Twitter

WILKES-BARRE — The woman convicted of lying about being raped by two Pennsylvania State Police troopers was sentenced Tuesday to serve up to 23 months in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility.

Christine Cromer, 38, of Plains Twp., was convicted in April on counts of making false reports and unsworn falsification for accusing two Pennsylvania State Police troopers of rape during interviews with police and in court documents.

In court Tuesday, Assistant District Attorney Angela Sperrazza argued for a jail term for Cromer, citing the impact the allegations had on the troopers’ personal lives and the damage such claims do to real victims of rape.

“This wasn’t one lie,” Sperrazza said. “This was continuous lies.”

Defense attorney Joseph F. Sklarosky Sr. blasted the police investigation that led to Cromer being charged, maintaining as he did at trial that the police car where the assaults allegedly took place should have been forensically tested.

“That doesn’t change my feelings about the abominable investigation that was done,” Sklarosky said of the jury’s verdict.

Cromer first claimed Trooper Robert Covington, a Bureau of Gaming Enforcement officer, raped her outside Mohegan Sun Pocono, where she worked as a cocktail waitress. She then altered her story and leveled nearly the exact same allegations against state police internal affairs Sgt. Daniel Jones, who had interviewed Cromer for two hours as the lead investigator in the case against Covington.

Prosecutors alleged Cromer fabricated the rape allegations to retaliate on behalf of her husband, a former member of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club who had been kicked out of Mohegan Sun Pocono.

During her two-day trial, Cromer maintained she engaged in a romantic relationship with Covington while her marriage was on the rocks in 2016 and that he raped her when she tried to end it.

Cromer claimed she later misidentified Jones as her attacker during an impromptu “lineup” because she wasn’t wearing glasses at the time.

The jury deliberated for only about a half hour before finding Cromer guilty as charged.

On Tuesday, Sklarosky pushed for a probationary sentence, but Luzerne County Judge Michael T. Vough said he found a number of aspects about the case “troubling,” including the effect such false claims has the public’s perception of law enforcement.

The judge sentenced Cromer to nine to 23 months in the county jail, giving her credit for two days served.

Cromer was remanded to serve her sentence.

Matthew Stefanelli was relieved when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act in 2012.

The 38-year-old South Abington Twp. man has suffered with asthma since age 5. A self-employed psychotherapist, he was repeatedly denied coverage because of his medical history. The ACA’s mandate that insurance companies cover people with preexisting conditions is his lifeline.

The law once again is in jeopardy, however. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans heard arguments Tuesday on a Texas judge’s ruling that declared the ACA unconstitutional. If the decision stands, it could jeopardize the law, resulting in tens of millions of Americans losing coverage.

“We are terrified that we are going to go backward,” Stefanelli said in a Tuesday conference call organized by U.S. Sen. Bob Casey of Scranton.

Stefanelli is among 858,000 people in Pennsylvania at risk of losing coverage if the law is struck down, according to an analysis by the Urban Institute, a non-profit public research group.

At issue is a 2018 federal lawsuit filed by several Republican state attorneys general. The lawsuit, Texas vs. United States, contends the entire health care law was rendered unconstitutional after Congress repealed in 2017, the “individual mandate” that requires most people buy insurance or face a tax penalty.

Casey, a Democrat, is a strong supporter of the ACA. He said he’s concerned many citizens don’t know about the court case. He joined forces with the Pennsylvania Health Access Network to help bring it to the public’s attention.

“The entire law could be declared unconstitutional,” Casey said. “Very few Americans know it’s happening... We have to do whatever we can to sound the alarm about the devastating impact.”

Public opinion is not supposed to influence judges, who are duty bound to rule based on legal principles set forth. Casey said he believes judges do consider the impact of their rulings on the public. That’s likely what helped sway U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to cast the deciding vote that upheld the ACA in 2012, he said.

“Some people think courts are deliberative bodies that make decisions in a soundproof room. That is somewhat true,” Casey said. “I think the courts also respond to public outcry.”

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals is not expected to rule for several months. It is expected that the case will land before the U.S. Supreme Court once again as the losing side will most assuredly seek a review of the court’s ruling.

Stefanelli said he’s frustrated by the continuing legal challenges to the law.

“Here we are again in this situation where it is under attack,” he said. “Something we thought was over and done with, they can go back on that and we are again at risk.”

He said doesn’t know what he will do if the law is struck down and Congress does not take action to ensure insurance companies are required to cover people with preexisting conditions.

Before the ACA was passed, Stefanelli said he was able to find one insurance company to cover him. The premium was $650 a month and had a $10,000 deductible.

“It only gave me access to care in emergency situations,” he said. “I still had extraordinary copays and out-of-pocket maximums. Most of my medications were not covered at all.”

Under the ACA plan he purchased, his premium is $540 a month, but he has far better coverage. His copays for doctor visits are $10 to $20 and he has no deductible.

“Every day is ongoing anxiety given the nature of what is happening politically,” Stefanelli said.

Contact the writer:tbesecker@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9137; @tmbeseckerTT on Twitter.

SCRANTON — A special election will be held in November to fill the unexpired term of former mayor and admitted felon Bill Courtright.

To fill the role until the new mayor takes office, City Council will appoint a temporary mayor. Council members unanimously made the decisions, which were recommended by council solicitor Amil Minora, during a caucus today.

The decisions provide answers to key questions left after Courtright’s resignation and guilty plea on federal corruption charges last week — namely, how to choose the former mayor’s successor and how long the replacement will serve.

Council also agreed on an appointment process that involves collecting letters of interest and resumes from potential appointees, conducting public interviews and, ultimately holding a special meeting to vote on the temporary appointment.

Council will collect letters of interest and resumes until noon on July 17. Depending on the number of applicants, council will whittle the list down to a reasonable number of potential appointees and then conduct public interviews at a yet-to-be-scheduled special meeting. A second special meeting to vote on the appointment will likely follow, acting Mayor Pat Rogan said.

For the special election Nov. 5, the Lackawanna County Democratic and Republican parties each will select a candidate to run. Independent candidates also may run by filing nomination papers with the county department of elections.

Council on Tuesday agreed to stipulate that whoever is appointed temporary mayor may not seek candidacy in the special election.

Check back for updates.

Contact the writer:
jhorvath@timesshamrock.com;
570-348-9141;
@jhorvathTT on Twitter

One of the region’s biggest advocates is hanging up his megaphone.

Kevin O’Donnell, who has led Greater Hazleton’s economic development growth for more than four and a half decades, announced Tuesday he will retire as president and chief executive officer of CAN DO Inc., at the close of 2020.

CAN DO is a nonprofit industrial and economic development corporation serving Greater Hazleton and all of Northeast Pennsylvania.

O’Donnell is well known in economic development circles not only in the region, but across the state.

In 2013 when Bob Durkin was named president of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, O’Donnell was one of his first mentors who encouraged him to take advantage of every resource to do the most good.

Durkin applauded O’Donnell’s part in creating tens of thousands of jobs in a relatively small community.

“I don’t think there’s any question that Kevin is one of the finest economic development specialists in the entire commonwealth,” he said.

O’Donnell started at CAN DO in 1973 as assistant director and was promoted to director in 1984. In 1995, the title was changed to president, a position he has held since.

O’Donnell has helped to bring regional, national and global companies to the Hazleton area that have resulted in more than 20,000 jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars annually for the local economy, according to CAN DO.

During the past 35 years under his leadership, CAN DO has expanded or launched three industrial parks, Valmont, Humboldt and McAdoo; the CAN DO Corporate Center in Drums, and Humboldt Station, a commercial park located just off Interstate 81 at Route 924. Humboldt Industrial Park has become one of the largest industrial parks in Pennsylvania, stretching 5 miles long and 2½ miles wide at its widest point..

“It has indeed been an amazing journey and I am so grateful to this organization for giving me the opportunity to be a part of it,” O’Donnell wrote in his letter to CAN DO board Chairman Bill Magnotta.

Magnotta said O’Donnell has been the face of CAN DO in the community for 46 years and has been instrumental in growing the organization into what it is today.

“Kevin’s relationships, knowledge of CAN DO and overall experience will leave a void and will be a loss for CAN DO and our community as a whole,” Magnotta said.

During his time with CAN DO, O’Donnell has always been a supporter and advocate of regionalism, understanding the importance of joining with Hazleton’s neighboring communities in order to compete in a global economy. He has been active in promoting the growth and development of Northeast Pennsylvania and has served the commonwealth in various positions.

LEHMAN TWP.

A Staten Island man drowned while swimming in the Delaware River tonight.

Search, rescue and dive teams from the National Park Service and Portland Hook and Ladder Company responded to the river and recovered the body of Christopher I. Rivera, 20, about 8 p.m. Rivera was last seen swimming in the river near the Karamac Bridge abutments at about 4 p.m. Rivera was on a rafting trip with a group and jumped in the water. Other members of the group saw Rivera struggle in the current before going underwater. He was not wearing a life jacket.

Park rangers remind all river users to wear a properly-fitted US Coast Guard approved life jacket at all times whether swimming, floating, fishing or boating on the Delaware River.

— CLAYTON OVER

Dunmore’s attempt to recoup more than $230,000 improperly paid to a retired firefighter over 17 years must be heard by an arbitrator, a Lackawanna County judge ruled.

Senior Judge Robert Mazzoni recently ruled the dispute with Joseph A. Riccardo arises from the interpretation of a 1996 contract. The contract includes an arbitration clause, which mandates the dispute first be heard there.

The borough filed a lawsuit against Riccardo in October, alleging he continued to receive $1,153.57 a month to compensate him for unused sick, vacation and holiday time he was owed when he retired on a disability pension in 1996. The payment was supposed to stop after he was paid $55,47.35, which he reached June 12, 2001. An apparent oversight, it continued until January 2018, when the borough halted it after discovering the mistake. Riccardo never advised officials he was still receiving the money.

The suit also asks the court to rule on whether Riccardo could name his adult daughter, who is now in her 40s, and/or his granddaughter as beneficiaries of his $1,622.27 monthly pension when he dies. The pension payment, which he continues to receive, is separate from the payment for the unused time that is in dispute. The borough contends it is not obligated to pay the survivor’s benefit because its pension ordinance only allows children under age 18 to collect a survivor’s pension.

Riccardo’s attorney, Geff Blake, filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. He raised several arguments, including that the borough was barred from seeking recovery because it waited too long to take action.

Mazzoni did not rule on the merits of any of the claims, however, because he determined the case first must go through the arbitration process. His ruling stays the lawsuit pending resolution of the arbitration.

The decision is a setback for the borough, which wanted Mazzoni to rule on all matters. The borough and Riccardo must now seek appointment of an arbitrator and present their cases, which likely will take several months.

The ruling also may affect a separate lawsuit the borough filed against retired firefighter John Sardo, who was improperly paid $64,156 under circumstances similar to Riccardo’s case.

Sardo’s attorney, Anthony Piazza Jr., recently filed a motion to dismiss, arguing it, too, must first be heard by an arbitrator. No ruling has been made on the matter.

Contact the writer:

tbesecker@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9137;

@tmbeseckerTT on Twitter

The benefits of Keystone Sanitary Landfill’s proposed expansion outweigh known and potential harms of the project, the state Department of Environmental Protection concluded after an environmental assessment.

The department on Monday issued an environmental assessment review letter noting an array of benefits from the proposed expansion, which would allow the landfill in Dunmore and Throop to operate for another 40-plus years. Those benefits include tax revenue, continued employment of local workers, lucrative host agreements, and recycling and cleanup programs.

Keystone also has proposed steps to limit potential harms, according to the review letter. Those include an enhanced monitoring program to address landfill odors, a property value protection plan for local residents and several projects to minimize the potential impact of landfill runoff, known as leachate, on ground water.

During the environmental assessment process, one step in the larger process that may see DEP approve Keystone’s expansion, regulations require that benefits of the proposed expansion clearly outweigh the harms. DEP determined they do.

The department considered both harms and benefits individually and collectively — taking into account things like duration, intensity, frequency, whether a harm or benefit is known or potential, input from public comment and other agencies and the department’s knowledge of Keystone’s past performance, among other factors.

Harms and benefits

The assessment itself lists 15 harms, some environmental and other social and economic, as well as Keystone’s proposed mitigation for each one and DEP’s determination of remaining impacts.

In certain cases, DEP found that some potential for harm will remain despite Keystone’s proposed mitigation.

Regarding odor, for example, DEP found Keystone’s proposed mitigation is unlikely to completely eliminate odors at all times. There also remains a potential for negative groundwater impacts despite improvements the landfill has made to its leachate treatment plant and other completed or planned mitigation projects, according to DEP.

The assessment also lists eight benefits of Keystone’s proposal, all of them social and economic.

For example, Keystone estimates it will purchase about $248.7 million in fuels, oils and lubricants, and about $557.6 million in machinery, equipment, services, rentals and maintenance, from local and regional vendors over the life of the expansion.

The assessment also lists the estimated values of host agreements with the landfill to be about $178.6 million for Throop and about $160.6 million for Dunmore over the life of the expansion, though DEP notes host fees are based on the tonnage of waste received at the landfill and there is no guaranteed minimum amount.

The assessment frustrated members of the anti-expansion group Friends of Lackawanna.

“DEP’s analysis acknowledges that there have been, and still are, ongoing issues with the landfill such as groundwater degradation, air quality, visual impacts, leachate problems and more,” Pat Clark, a founding member of Friends of Lackawanna, said in a written statement. “DEP then lists the benefits, all of which are financial, and determined they ‘clearly’ outweigh the harms. Sadly, it goes to show that you can throw enough money at a problem and get your way, even if it is at the expense of an entire region’s future.”

Jeff Belardi, an attorney for the landfill, and Keystone consultant Al Magnotta both said landfill officials are pleased by DEP’s determination.

“We were cautiously anticipating this type of result, but you can never tell,” Belardi said. “It’s very rewarding and it probably means we’re halfway through the permitting processes.”

Magnotta called DEP’s review extensive and the results gratifying, arguing it proves the expansion won’t create serious environmental, public health or safety issues for residents.

Next step

Now that the environmental assessment is complete, DEP will conduct a technical review of Keystone’s expansion application.

That step generally involves a review of the engineering behind the proposed design, DEP spokeswoman Colleen Connolly said, noting there is no timetable for the technical review.

As the process continues, Friends of Lackawanna founding member Michele Dempsey vowed that the organization will continue to fight the expansion while expressing disappointment in DEP’s assessment.

“When your laws and regulations don’t protect you from those who have influence, but instead protect them against you, that is the beginning of the end,” Dempsey wrote in a statement. “We will fight to the end because it is the only hope for our community’s future.”

Those wishing to comment on the technical aspects of Keystone’s application should mail written comments to Roger Bellas, Waste Management Program Manager, DEP Northeast Regional Office, 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, 18701, or by emailing rbellas@pa.gov.

Contact the writer:

jhorvath@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9141;

@jhorvathTT on Twitter

SCRANTON — A city man is accused of selling meth.

Keith Williams, 41, 323 Rear Oak St. , is charged with possession with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia after members of the city police Street Crimes Unit arrested him Friday. Officers searched Williams residence Tuesday afternoon and found two bags of meth weighing a gram, plus drug paraphernalia, in the home, according to court documents. Officers later talked with Williams and found $454 of suspected drug proceeds on his person, police said. Williams told investigators he sold drugs to four or five people, police said.

Bail and preliminary hearing information was not available Tuesday night.

— CLAYTON OVER

SCRANTON — Two weeks before former Mayor Bill Courtright pleaded guilty to shakedowns via the Licensing, Inspections and Permits Department, his administration and city council began seeking an outside evaluation of that office.

City Business Administrator David Bulzoni issued public notices in the June 18-19 edition of The Times-Tribune requesting proposals from firms interested in reviewing the LIP department for efficiency and best practices.

At that time, he and council did not know that Courtright would resign July 1 and plead guilty July 2 to corruption partly involving misuse of the LIP department to demand bribes from vendors and developers.

The timing of the city seeking LIP proposals shortly before Courtright’s resignation and guilty plea was coincidental, Bulzoni said.

“It’s been something that we’ve talked about for quite some time,” Bulzoni said of a review of the LIP department.

Another proponent of an outside review, Councilman Wayne Evans, agreed.

“We need a fresh set of eyes,” Evans said. “It’s time to bring in the experts who understand the operation” and how it best could operate.

According to the request for qualifications/proposals, an evaluation of the LIP department would examine and make recommendations on the following items:

• Achieving greater customer service satisfaction.

• Determining employee performance and productivity.

• Ensuring cost effectiveness of processes involving applications, reviews, inspections, permit fees and technology.

• Interpreting legal requirements and compliance.

• Reviewing ordinances for updating, fees for appropriateness, and budget line items for potential consolidations.

Submissions are due by July 22 at 10 a.m., when they will be unsealed in a public opening procedure at City Hall.

Proposals must include the name and type of firm, names, qualifications and experience of employees who would do the review, work plan, approach and references.

Meanwhile, in a public caucus Tuesday, council agreed to make in coming weeks a temporary appointment of a mayor to serve until the end of the year, pending the outcome of a special mayoral election to be held Nov. 5 to fill out Courtright’s unexpired term that runs through 2021.

“Regardless of whomever may be selected as mayor, I would hope there would be agreement that some evaluation of the (LIP) department is needed,” Bulzoni said. “I think all of the reasons for evaluating the department and overall operation are as relevant as they ever were.”

The initiative also came about as another adverse situation involving the LIP department recently arose. Former city zoning officer John “Jack” Sweeney was fired June 6 and charged June 19 with stealing $1,401 in permit cash in April. Sweeney told The Times-Tribune last month he denies stealing any money and called the city’s case against him bogus.

Meanwhile, Courtright pleaded guilty to charges of bribery, extortion and conspiracy, admitting to holding up one developer’s projects until he forked over cash and campaign contributions.

“Certainly, one of the areas we would like to focus on (in a LIP review) is the approval process and what are the checks and balances,” Bulzoni said. “The procedures of most of what the department does should not be discretionary, and that process should be reviewed.”

Contact the writer:

jlockwood@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9100 x5185;

@jlockwoodTT on Twitter

MARRIAGE LICENSES

■ Jose Roldan-Ortiz and Noelia Miranda-Torres, both of Scranton.

■ Monique Kathleen Reeser and John Michael Pizzo Jr., both of Schenectady, N.Y.

■ Jerry Stephen Finnegan and Stacy Lynn Steinmetz, both of Scranton.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

■ Bethany L. Ledda, Carbon­dale, to Jeffrey Sullivan, Hones­dale; a property in Carbondale for $137,800.

■ Nicholas E., Denise, Cynthia A. Mazza; Kimberly Moore and Michele Mazza Hill, Carbondale, to Robert Peregrin, Carbondale; a property in Carbondale for $67,900.

■ PS & JP Marion Property LP, Scranton, to Philip Pascucci, Bush­kill; two parcels in Scran­ton for $124,600.

■ Craig and Bonnie L. Cal­derone to Connor and Ellen Malone; a property in South Abington Twp. for $459,000.

■ Gravel LLC, Clarks Summit, to Gravel Pond Townhouses Inc., South Abington Twp.; a property at Gravel Pond Road, South Abington Twp., for $30,000.

■ Shaun M. and Melissa Zur­aski, Lackawanna County, to Sam­antha Cardoni, Lackawanna County; a property at 522 Duf­fer Drive, Dickson City, for $289,000.

■ Paulette Dreher to Alisa Ilina; a property at 70 Locust Lane, Clifton Twp., for $59,500.

■ Beverly J. Finnerty and Nan­cy J. Matiskella, Scranton, to Willy M. Almonte, Old Forge; a property at 909 Wheeler Ave., Scranton, for $41,200.

■ Charles A. and Jessica M. Stevens to Nazer and Ana Victor­ia Ali, Tunkhannock; a property in Covington Twp. for $300,000.

■ Michael J. Lukus, under the Marianne Lukus Grantor Trust, South Abington Twp., to Patrick and Andrea Rogers, Clarks Sum­mit; a property in South Abing­ton Twp. for $475,000.

■ Kimberly Kinyon, Jefferson Twp., to Scott W and Monica B. McGee, Haymarket, Va.; three parcels in Jefferson Twp. for $101,000.

■ William M. and Cheryl D. Ashton to Bernice and Robert Negvesky; and Patricia Bianchi; a property at 48 Wemberly Hills Road, Scott Twp., for $220,000.

■ Louis S. Rose III, also known as Louis J. Rose III, exec­utor of the estate of Louis J. Rose Jr., and Christopher Rose, Dickson City, to Krista M. and Stephen M. Rebar, Dickson City; a property at 905 W. Lacka­wanna Ave., Dickson City, for $145,000.

■ Joan Magor and Carol Yon­tas, Scranton, to Jeffrey W. and Mary K. Howells, Scranton; a property at 2122 Brown Ave., Scranton, for $65,000.

■ Edward and Karen O’Brien to Sirva Relocation Credit LLC; a property at 12 Douglas Drive, Covington Twp., for $449,000.

■ F. Warren Breig Jr., Dalton, to Maha Real Estate LLC, Clarks Summit; two parcels in Dalton for $110,000.

■ Robert Jere Johnson and Carol Straka Sr., Jessup, to Jos­eph J. Price, Blakely; a property at 110 Dolph St., Olyphant, for $200,000.

■ Gravel LLC, Clarks Summit, to Louise Blecker, Dallas; a prop­erty at Gravel Pond Road, South Abington Twp., for $30,000.

DIVORCES SOUGHT

■ Mary Formica, Scott Twp., v. Justin Formica, Las Vegas, Nev.; married July 24, 2014, in Oly­phant; pro se.

■ Sunny Jaiswal, Scranton, v. Sujey Gonzalez, Ashley; married Dec. 22, 2017, in Shickshinny; Andrew Morris, attorney.

■ Shannyn Carey, Scranton, v. Kevin Hendrix, Lake Providence, La.; married Aug. 30, 2017, in Bethlehem; Dominic J. Mastri, attorney.

DIVORCE DECREES

■ Raymond Faulkner v. Con­cetta Faulkner

■ Robert Lepka Jr. v. Victoria Lepka

■ Brittany Causer v. Bryan Causer

■ Mende Clarke v. James Clarke

■ Wendy Lynn Griffiths v. Ron­ald Griffths

■ Rijkaard Janvier v. Jessica Fragilas

■ Jeremy Lamberti v. Amber Lamberti

■ Rory Flynn v. Nicole Flynn

BENCH WARRANTS

Judge Thomas Munley has issued the following bench warrants for failure to appear on fines and costs:

■ Raequon A. Thompson, 77 Locust Hill Ave., Apt. 521, Yonk­ers, N.Y.; $867.

■ Sarah Troop, 515 N. Decker Court, Scranton; $4,167.75.

■ Michael Ubaldini, 327 N. Main St., Archbald; $5,548.41.

■ Scott David Verity, 2260 Route 715, Stroudsburg; $675.

■ Tyquan Warren, 124-126 N. Main Ave., Room 16, Scranton; $1,937.

■ Robert Wolfe, 864 Main Ave., Apt. 2, Dickson City; $7,701.50.

■ Damera Wyatt, 4500 Mar­ket St., Apt. D, Philadelphia; $605.50.

■ Darius M. Rodriguez, 816 12th Ave., Scranton; $8,551.50.

■ Johnny Rosa, 1855 Bloom Ave., First Floor, Scranton; $5,542.50.

■ Destiny Marie Santere, 143 Belmont St., Carbondale; $202.

■ Tabatha Seward, P.O. Box 3481, Scranton; $2,019.41.

■ Stephen Dwayne Simmons, 2211 Golden Ave., Scranton; $3,315.

■ Anthony Simpson, 2224 N. Sixth St., Harrisburg; $3,324.50.

■ Ralph Slugg, 305 N. Hyde Park Ave., Scranton; $4,154.66.

■ Carmen H. Steele, 691 Finn Road, Factoryville; $3,272.50.

■ Edward Stokes, 1007 Rem­ington Ave., Scranton; $2,705.50.

LAWSUITS

■ Jocelyn Kreig, 3701 Law­rence Ave., Moosic, v. John Kane, 2731 Pittston Ave., Scran­ton, seeking an amount in excess of the jurisdictional limit regarding arbitration referral by local rules, plus interest and costs and such other relief as deemed appropriate by the honorable court, for injuries suffered in an automobile accident on or about Oct. 22, 2017, on Davis Street, Scranton; Kevin M. Con­aboy, attorney.

■ Joanne and Richard Marmo, 18 Tanya Drive, Old Forge, v. the Golub Corp., 501 Duanesburg Road, Schenectady, N.Y., seeking an amount in excess of $50,000, which sum is in excess of the amount requiring compulsory arbitration thereof under the applicable statutes of the Commonwealth of Penn­syl­vania and rules of court, plus interest, cost of suit and such other relief as the court deems just and appropriate, for injuries suffered by the plaintiffs on the premises owned by the defendant, 1500 S. Main St., Taylor, on or about Dec. 14, at approximately 2:15 p.m.; Matthew J. Perry, attorney.

ESTATES FILED

■ Eileen Saltry, 10 Little League Blvd., Scranton, letters of administration to Robert Flynn, 2905 Colliery Ave., Scranton.

■ Dolores J. Phillips, 302 S. Keyser Ave., Scranton, letters of administration to Lori A. Smith, 66 Market St., Pittston.

■ Judith Swarts, also known as Judith E. Swarts, 9109 Valley View Drive, Newton Twp., letters testamentary to Jonathan P. Swarts, 332 Daleville Highway, Covington Twp.

■ Edward Kobesky, 111 Home­stead St., Dunmore, letters testamentary to Amber Kobesky, 713 E. Drinker St., Apt. 2, Dunmore.

■ Catherine Louise Whiting, also known as Catherine L. Whiting, Catherine Whiting, 307 Franklin St., Jermyn, letters testamentary to Valerie Ann Taylor, 12 Brookside Road, Waymart.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts

DUNMORE — Fidelity Bank was named to Forbes 2019 Best Banks in Each State list.

Fidelity ranked third among five Pennsylvania banks. It’s the smallest of the Keystone State institutions to make the list in terms of employees, and the only one from the northeast region.

Banks were chosen based on a nationwide survey of more than 25,000 customers for the financial magazine’s second annual in-state bank survey.

Forbes and survey partner Statista ranked banks in categories including general satisfaction, trust, and branch services. Other ranking categories include digital services and financial advice.

— JON O’CONNELL

High notes

Misericordia University student Clare Schoen was recognized by the university’s Alumni Association with the Alumni Outstanding Graduate Award.

Schoen, of Scranton, a health science major with a minor in psychology, was recognized for a wide range of leadership and service during her time at Misericordia while maintaining a 3.28 GPA, according to the university. She received her bachelor’s degree on May 11 and will enter graduate school at Misericordia in the fall to work toward a master’s degree in occupational therapy.

Schoen is a member of the university’s cross country and track and field teams, where she has received numerous awards. She is also on the Misericordia Student Occupational Therapy Association, served as a 2019 class officer and is a member of the student philanthropy organization, Students Today, Alumni Forever.

New officers

Lori Wagner was recently elected president of the Society of Irish Women for 2019-2020.

New officers include Alice McDermott, president elect; Barbara Partyka, vice president; Kathy Connor, corresponding secretary; Kate Schneider, recording secretary; Tammy Jackson, treasurer; and Silvia Passeri, historian.

The society will hold a membership meeting on Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Radisson at Lackawanna Station hotel. Membership is $10. All are welcome to attend. For details, contact Mariann Moran at 570-969-1061.

Stars in stripes

Army Capt. Kurt F. Schommer was promoted to his current rank while serving a nine-month deployment with Operation Resolute Support in Afghanistan.

Schommer, a 2011 graduate of the North Pocono High School, serves as an Aide-de-Camp to Brigadier General Joseph A. Ryan, acting senior commander, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, Colorado.

The son of Gary R. and Marilynn Schommer of Jefferson Twp., Schommer is also a 2015 distinguished military graduate of the Virginia Military Institute.

In October, he will attend the Military Intelligence Captains Career Course in Arizona.

SCRANTON — Maternal and Family Health Services announced that the Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program has expanded income guidelines that will allow more families to participatee.

The new guidelines went into effect on July 1. A family of four that earns $47,638 annually now qualify for WIC. For a family of three, the income limit is $39,461 and a family of two can earn up to $31,284 .

The WIC Nutrition Program is funded through the United States Department of Agriculture and provides nutrition education and access to healthy foods for pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, as well as infants and children under 5. To qualify, participants must meet the income guidelines, have a nutritional or medical need and live in Pennsylvania.

— CLAYTON OVER

Matthew Stefanelli was relieved when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act in 2012.

The 38-year-old South Abington Twp. man has suffered with asthma since age 5. A self-employed psychotherapist, he was repeatedly denied coverage because of his medical history. The ACA’s mandate that insurance companies cover people with preexisting conditions is his lifeline.

The law once again is in jeopardy, however. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans heard arguments Tuesday on a Texas judge’s ruling that declared the ACA unconstitutional. If the decision stands, it could jeopardize the law, resulting in tens of millions of Americans losing coverage.

“We are terrified that we are going to go backward,” Stefanelli said in a Tuesday conference call organized by U.S. Sen. Bob Casey of Scranton.

Stefanelli is among 858,000 people in Pennsylvania at risk of losing coverage if the law is struck down, according to an analysis by the Urban Institute, a nonprofit public research group.

At issue is a 2018 federal lawsuit filed by several Republican state attorneys general. The lawsuit, Texas vs. United States, contends the entire health care law was rendered unconstitutional after Congress repealed in 2017 the “individual mandate” that requires most people buy insurance or face a tax penalty.

Casey, a Democrat, is a strong supporter of the ACA. He said he’s concerned many citizens don’t know about the court case. He joined forces with the Pennsylvania Health Access Network to help bring it to the public’s attention.

“The entire law could be declared unconstitutional,” Casey said. “Very few Americans know it’s happening. ... We have to do whatever we can to sound the alarm about the devastating impact.”

Public opinion is not supposed to influence judges, who are duty bound to rule based on legal principles set forth. Casey said he believes judges do consider the impact of their rulings on the public. That’s likely what helped sway U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to cast the deciding vote that upheld the ACA in 2012, he said.

“Some people think courts are deliberative bodies that make decisions in a soundproof room. That is somewhat true,” Casey said. “I think the courts also respond to public outcry.”

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals is not expected to rule for several months. It is expected that the case will land before the U.S. Supreme Court once again as the losing side will most assuredly seek a review of the court’s ruling.

Stefanelli said he’s frustrated by the continuing legal challenges to the law.

“Here we are again in this situation where it is under attack,” he said. “Something we thought was over and done with, they can go back on that and we are again at risk.”

He said doesn’t know what he will do if the law is struck down and Congress does not take action to ensure insurance companies are required to cover people with preexisting conditions.

Before the ACA was passed, Stefanelli said he was able to find one insurance company to cover him. The premium was $650 a month and had a $10,000 deductible.

“It only gave me access to care in emergency situations,” he said. “I still had extraordinary copays and out-of-pocket maximums. Most of my medications were not covered at all.”

Under the ACA plan he purchased, his premium is $540 a month, but he has far better coverage. His copays for doctor visits are $10 to $20 and he has no deductible.

“Every day is ongoing anxiety given the nature of what is happening politically,” Stefanelli said.

Contact the writer:

tbesecker@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9137;

@tmbeseckerTT on Twitter

July 10, 1944

Six OPA officials suspended

Daniel Woolley, regional director of the Office of Price Administration, announced that six employees of the Scranton District Office of the OPA had been suspended from their positions pending an investigation into missing gasoline coupons.

The investigation stemmed from an earlier investigation when stolen gasoline coupons were traced back to the Scranton office. The investigation found coupons for more than 300,000 gallons of gasoline were missing.

Inspectors with the OPA said pending the findings of their investigation into the missing coupons, the six suspended employees could face criminal charges.

Also the investigation looked into large-scale sugar trafficking in the city and why 7,000 shoe certificates were issued to businesses.

School district

to open daycare

The Scranton School District announced that it would be opening its first child care center, thanks to a federal grant of $46,557.

The center was to be located at the No. 3 School at Hickory Street and Pittston Avenue and would be open to children of working mothers. The center was to be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and mothers would have to pay 35 cents a day for service. Children would receive meals while at the center.

The district hoped to have the center opened by September and planned to open two additional centers in the city at a later date.

At the movies

“And The Angels Sing” at the West Side, “The Big Show” at the State, “Roger Touhy, Gangster!” at the Capitol, “The Story of Dr. Wassell” at the Comerford and “Up in Arms” at the Strand.

BRIAN FULTON, library manager, oversees The Times-Tribune’s expansive digital and paper archives and is an authority on local history. Contact Brian at bfulton@timesshamrock.com or 570-348-9140.

WILKES-BARRE TWP. — The Jehovah’s Witnesses will hold two conventions at Mohegan Sun Arena in August, according to Luzerne County tourism officials.

About 5,000 people are expected to attend each of the conventions, during the weekends of Aug. 9-11 and Aug. 16-18, according to a news release issued by Visit Luzerne County. That will create an economic boost of about $3 million for the county, with increased business for hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions, the news release states.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses held a convention at the arena in late June. That event also generated a significant economic boom for the county and the region, according to the news release.

— ERIC MARK